Type-writing machine.



Patunt'ed Mar. 26, 190|.

c. A BENNETT. l TYPE WRITING MASI-HNE.

(Application md out. 25. 1899.)

3 Sheets-Sheet 2,

(nouudel.)

No. 670,889. Patenten Mar. 26,1901.

c. A. BENNETT. TYPE WRITING MACHINE.

(Application filed Oct. 25, 1899.vl (Nu Model.) 3 SheeIs-Sheet 3.l

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Unirse STATES PATENT Grinch.

CHARLES A. BENNETT, OF DOVER, NEW JERSEY.

TYPE-WRITING MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 670,889, dated March 26, 1901.

Application filed October 25, 1899. Serial No. 734,738. (No model.) I

To (LZZ zoll/0771, if; mfr/ 7j concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES A. BENNETT, a citizen of the AUnited States, residing at Dover, in the county of Morris and State of New Jersey, haveinventcd a newand useful Type- NVriting Machine, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in type-writing machines, more particularly of the portable class and in which preferably a type-wheel is used having suitable operating-gear actuated hy depression of finger-levers and a separate or divided linger-lever for each type in a field of type on the wheel.

The object of my invention is to provide a full finger-key machine in a more compact form and one in which all the writing, including the last letter or impression, is visible to the operator. I attain this object by the machine and parts shown in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l is a plan or top view of the machine as the operator would see it from the right side of the sheet; Fig. 2, an end elevation showing the relation of type-wheel, finger-levers, and paper-platen with line-spacing device; Fig. 3, a vertical cross-section through center, gear and type wheel removed; Fig. 4, a plan similar to Fig, l, but with top frame and keys re moved,showing frame, typewheel, and operating-gear, also lower section of key-levers resting against the operatingbeams; Fig. 5, a vertical longitudinal section through center of type-wheel looking from the key side, showing vertical portion of keylevers, which are pivoted or hinged to upper frame; Fig. 6, a perspective View ofagroup of keys or separable key, showing two sections depressed; Fig. 7, a plan and side elevation of the rectangular sliding plate, showing operating-gear and type-wheel spindle attached.

Like letters of reference indicate the same parts throughout.

While the character of this writing-machine may be well understood from the drawings and specification, the essential features that are employed to secure extreme compactness and at the same time preserve working effectiveness may be better understood and the several parts better appreciated bya limited comparison with the familiar type of full-key machines now in wide use. ln the ordinary type of machine each key is independent of an other and they are arranged in several banks or rows one above another in steps. This is necessary to the free course of the Finger in depressing a key, as only one should be depressed at a time. Each step must be sufficiently above theother to give full movement without having the linger contact with akey iu a lower row. More height is therefore involved fo r key-s pace than in my device, wherein two banks of keysone right and one left bank-are each divided into groups of three, more or less, in such manner that when a key in either of the upper rows is depressed the lower key or keys in the same group will travel down with it out of the way of the finger, the one upon which the finger rests, however, indicating the letter to be imprinted; but preferably I so arrange the keys that parts in the group above the one in an outer row depressed will remain in their normal position. In this respect, tl1erefore,my invention introduces a new system in writing-machine-key arrangement-viz., the division of a keyboard into subdivisions and their action on the key-levers in such a manner that they maybe operated as a whole or in any desired number by the depression of a single subdivision of the keyboard without interfering with the proper imprint of the particular letter desired. The type-wheel-operating mechanism whereby the desired letter is brought into position and the printing doneis made to accommodate such system of grouped keys after the manner shown, though not neces-` sarily limited to the exact form or division` herein illustrated.

Upon a rectangular base-frame A A are mounted all theV parts-the paper drum or platen C, which is arranged to move to the left as impressions upon the papel' are made, the rectangular slide-plate D, at right angles to the drum C, carrying the type-Wheel G and operating-gear, and the key-lever frame B, to which the keys E E are pivoted.

Of the frame of platen C the two end bearingpieces C are joined by the plate C2, the feedrack CS, and scale Q. C4 is a paper-guide apron attached to plate C2. One edge of the plate (l2 rests in a groove at the side of base-frame A A IOO and against the back vertical supporting plate IAO vattach ed to J2,then revolves the notched wheel as desi red,thereby rotating the platen for liliespacing. At the same time the platen may be drawn to the right for the beginning of a new line.v The thumb-wheel K at the left end of platen is intended for use in revolving the platen when paper is being entered upon the apron C4 and for reversing platen in correcting matter in a preceding line, (be.

Upon the reciprocating slide D are mounted the type-wheel G, the gear-pinion M, pivoted beam carrying the segment-gear N, and the stop-rack O. The type-wheel G and pin- Y ion M are journaled upon the spindle H, the

lower end of it being riveted or fastened into the plate D,orit may be journaled in said pla-te and supported at upperend by bracket. Upon this plate, in front of the pinion, is fastened a guide for the stop-rack O, and pivoted to D in front of O is the feed-pawl D3, which when the plate D advances toward 'the platen engages the feed-rack C2 of the carriage, and thereby advances the platen to the left su fiicient for letter-spacing, as regulated by the teeth in the rack. A

The type-wheel G is made to revolve upon the spindle H by means of the vertical pins M', pinion M, and segment-gear N when actuated by the pivoted beam, connecting-links N' N2, beams N3 N4, and key-levers E E. Key-leversjE E are preferably hinged by the pintles E2 to the top frame B. The lower ends of the vertical part E of these levers rest close to the pivoted beams or suitably-mov-- able frames N3 N4. These beams are preferably pivoted to frame A, as at N5, and connect to the oscillating beam pivoted at D2 by links N N2 in such manner that when the beam pivoted to plate D at D2 is drawn upon by depression of a key-lever andv through means of the connections the plate D, together with all its attachments, is moved forward. At the same ti me the segment partially revolves upon D2, thereby revolving the type-wheel until the stop O contacts with the particular key being depressed or a connection thereof. Then the revolving of the parts ceases. The forward movement continues until the type contacts with the paper on platen C. Thereby a letter upon the wheel corresponding to the desired letter on the key depressed is imprinted. Upon releasing the key-lever the parts return to normal position (shown by dotted lines, Fig. 1) by means of springs' P P. (Shown in Fig. 4.) Pressure upon a key in the right bank revolves the type-wheel in one right bank. The stop-rack is resting against a part of the key in action. As the rack meshes into the pinion M no more revolving motion can take place; but a continuation of forward movement of the Wheel is secured by continued pressure upon the key, because all of the operating-gear assumes a locked condition, and from this point the beam N3 of the opposite side must. move forward with beam N4, the keys not in action, however, remaining in normal position. The type-wheel plate D is guided to its straight course bythe lugs A2 A3. A peculiarly advantageous feature of this system of operating-gear lies inthe positive connection of the two key-beams to the one pivoted beam carrying the segmentgear, which may revolve the wheel in either direction and advance it at the same time, as by this means the operator need not wait for a complete return of the parts before strik4 ing another keyin reither bank, for even while the type-wheel is recedingit may be revolved to a new position by any of the keysin either bank. Thus more speed in writing may be attained than would be possible in a modification of the gear wherein the two sides were independent or in distinct pairs.

The'stoplock rack O, actuated bythe teeth ofthe type-wheel-driving pinion and being forced thereby against the required stop, performs the double function of positioning the desired letter and of restraining the typewheel from any vibration due to lost motion either in the pinion itself or other joints of the actuating parts, because in its stopped position itis then acting upon the teeth of thepinion in the opposite direction to that of the revolving force. The rack is therefore a part of the stop medium and type-wheel lock as well. In the construction as shown the ends of the rack are made to contact with a part of `the finger-keyin action and when in such vposition moves forward with the key toward the paper-platen. The ends of the keys are held from lateral vibration by means of the notches in the actuating-frames, against which they rest. These notches therefore may be considered the proper stops and should be graduated to conform with the travel Aof the rack for positioning the letters upon the type-wheel as required.

Upon the type-wheel herein shown there are three rows of type which circle it-the top row, small letters; middle row, capitals; lower row, numerals and characters. The wheel rests upon a collar on top of pinion M. The pins-M' are riveted into the pinion. The type-wheel may slide up and down on these pins and spindle. Underneath the wheel lies an end of the bent rod F, hinged to frame A.

direction and. pressure upon a key in the left l The other end of the rod lies upon the inner IOC IIO

end oi' levers L L. A pressure upon either of the levers will therefore operate toraise the typeswheel to bring that iield ot' type into position indicated on the finger-piece of the lever depressed. Upon release of the lever the wheel drops d own to rst position shown in the drawings.

Inking of the type is done by the ink-rolls I I, which are supported by the pivoted arms I', as shown. The type-wheel engages the rolls as it revolves and advances.

In Figs. l, 2, and 3 is clearly shown the form and manner of grouping the keys E E. Each of the two banks of keys has its common pivot-bearing E2. The vertical part E oi' the keys extends downward to the side of beams N3 N" and lie together parallel. The

. distance from inner side of one to inner side of the next represents the lateral travel of stop O, governing the rotation of type-wheel, the distance from center of one letter to another. The parts E are kept close together, so as to reduce travel of stop O. The hori- Zontal portion of keys E are bent, as shown by dotted lilies in Fig. l, so as to give space for the finger-pieces attached to the outer ends, and the lettering on the left-hand bank is purposely left off the drawings to show more clearly the arrangement. Take, for instance, the P oEright-haud bank. The fingenpiece is attached tothe shorter or inner section oithat group, which, ifdepressed, carries the and G down with it, depressing the leaves P and carries l with it, and depressingr G, the and P remain at. rest. The inner row of finger-pieces are fastened tothe inner and shorter key of each group, the middle row to the next and longer key, and the third or outside row to the outside and longest key of each group, Therefore the stop O will contact with whatever section of a group that the tip of operators finger may rest upon.

In Fig. 6 a group of keys is clearly shown, the two outer ones being depressed,the shorter of which is the one really in action and against which stop O contacts. In Fig. 7 is clearly shown the type-wheel-operating gear upon the reciprocating plate D.

I have considered it unnecessary to en u merate and explain certain different forms of the systems embodied in this writing-machine, assuming that the following combination and specific claims will secure to me such rights of modification that may be consistent, and therefore,

Having thus brieiiy described the construction and operation of my invention so far as shown, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. The combination with a pivoted beam mounted upon a reciprocating type-wheel support and means for revolving the typewheel, of the connecting-links N N2, frames N3 N4, substantially as set forth.

2. The combination with a type-wheel support, of a beam pivoted thereon, of means integral with said beam adapted to revolve the type-wheel, and of toggle-links connected to said beam.

3. The combination with a type-wheel support, ot' a spindle. mounted thereon, ofa pin ion revolving on said spindle, of means for operating said pinion, of a rack engaged by said pinion, and of means adapted to stop the end wise movement of said rack.

4. The combination with a type-wheel support,of a pinion mounted thereon, of operating means for said pinion, ot' a reciprocating rack, and of stop devices for said rack.

5. The combinat ion with a type-wheel support, of a spindle at right angles thereto, of a pinion upon said spindle, of operating means for meshing into said pinion, of a rack engag.

ing said pinion, and ot'stop devices for said rack consisting of portions of one or more key-levers.

The combination with a pinion or segment-wheel and means for actuating a typewheel or type segment-wheel for printing a character thereof, of the reciprocating rack and suitably-arranged stops for said rack whereby the desired type is positioned and held from vibration while imprinting.

7. 'lhe combination with a type-wheel, of means for actuating the same, of a reciprocating rack for positioning the same, and of means for stopping said rack.

S. In a typeewriting1nachine,`the co1nbination of L-shaped keylevers, pivoted at their ICO angle and the vertical end adapted to push l forward frames having connections to typewheel-operating gear, said frames heilig in pairs and adapted to move alternatively for positioning the type and for advancing the type-wheel, substantially as shown.

9. In a type-writing machine having a type- Wheel or type segment-wheel, arranged to revolve and advance, the combination of L- shaped key-levers pivoted at their angle, frames N3 N4 and connections with pivoted beam and reciprocating type-wheel support D, substantially as shown and described.

10. rPhe combination with rect-angular key- `levers pivoted at their angle, of frames engaged by said levers, of a reciprocating typewheel support, of a beam pivoted to said snpport, and of connecting means between said frames and said beam.

11. In a type-writing machine having pivoted key-levers, one for each letter in a field of type, the grouping and combination of such keys whereby the finger-pieces of those lying in the path of, may be depressed with the key directly acted upon by the finger ot' the operator and for the purpose set forth.

l2. In type-selecting means, the combination with a subdivided keyboard, of a plurality of key-levers adapted to be operated as a whole or in any desired number by the depression ot a single subdivision of said keyboard.

13. In a type-writing machine having a type-wheel or type segment-wheel and oper- IIO ating-gear, the combination With said gear, of subdivided or combined keylevers and finger-pieces,lwhereb v the special part of such key or finger-piece acted upon by the finger Of the operator, will determine the letter to be imprinted. v

14. In type-selecting means, the combination with a type-wheel, of operating means for the same, and of a series of subdivided keys adapted to operate the Whole or any desired number of key-levers for the determination of the letter to be imprinted.

15. In a type-Writing machine,the combination with type-Wheel or type segment-wheel, of pivoted key-levers having parts adapted for simultaneous movement for actuation in the printing at'one time of either of the letters or characters displayed upon divided fingerpieces thereof and at the Will of the operator.

16. In type-selecting means, the combination with a rotatable type-carrier, of a series of keyflevers adapted for simultaneous movementin any desired number by the depression of one of the divisions of a subdivided keyboard.

17. The combination withl a rectangular base-frame, of a platen-carriage, a plate at right angles to said base-frame adapted to support the back of said platen-carriage, and of bearing-lugs on said base-frame adapted to support the feed-rack at the front of said platen-carriage.

18. The combination With a reciprocating support, of a spindle mounted thereon, of a pinion rotatable on said spindle, of asegmentgear meshing into said pinion, of a radial arm of said segment-gear, of abeam rotatably pivoted to said support and connected to said radial arm, and of means adapted to Arotate said beam and the segment-gear and simultaneously reciprocate said support.

19. The combination with a type-Wheel, of its reciprocating support D, of a feed-rack C3 movable at right angles to said support D, and of a feed-pawl D3 mounted on said support D and adapted to engage the teeth of said feed-rack.

20. The combination with a spindle movable parallel to itself, of a rotatable and verticallyslidable type-wheel on said spindle, of a lever adapted to vertically move said type-Wheel on said spindle, and of means engaging the free end of said lever adapted to select and determine the heightto which said type-Wheel is moved vertically on-said spindle.

21. The combination with a spindle movable parallel to itself,of a rotatable pinion mounted on said spindle, of guiding-pins connected to said pinion, and of a type-Wheel being rotated on said spindle by said guides and adapted to vertically slide on said spindle and guides.

22. The combination with a rotatable type- Wheel, of a plurality of ink-rollers in constant contact therewith, of spring-arms `carrying said ink-rollers and adapted to laterally yield with the advance of the type-Wheel.

CHAS. A. BENNETT. Witnesses:

BERTHA NICHOLS, STEWART M. NEFF. 

